Английский с Р. Л. Стивенсоном. Алмаз раджи / R. L. Stevenson. The Rajah’s Diamond

 Harry pacified her by repeating her instructions perfectly; and she was just going to tell him more when General Vandeleur flung into the apartment, scarlet with anger, and holding a long and elaborate milliner’s bill in his hand.

“Will you look at this, madam?” cried he. “Will you have the goodness to look at this document? I know well enough you married me for my money, and I hope I can make as great allowances as any other man in the service; but, as sure as God made me, I mean to put a period to this disreputable prodigality.”

“Mr. Hartley,” said Lady Vandeleur, “I think you understand what you have to do (мистер Хартли, – сказала леди Венделер, – я думаю, вы понимаете, что вы должны сделать). May I ask you to see to it at once (могу я попросить вас приняться за дело немедленно: «присмотреть за этим»; at once – сразу же)?”

“Stop,” said the General, addressing Harry (стойте, – сказал генерал, обращаясь к Гарри)

, “one word before you go (одно слово прежде чем вы уйдете).” And then, turning again to Lady Vandeleur (и затем, повернувшись снова к леди Венделер), “What is this precious fellow’s errand (каково поручение этому благородному юноше)?” he demanded (спросил он). “I trust him no further than I do yourself (я доверяю ему не больше, чем вам самой), let me tell you (уверяю вас: «позвольте мне сказать вам»). If he had as much as the rudiments of honesty (если бы у него были хотя бы зачатки порядочности), he would scorn to stay in this house (он бы счел невозможным оставаться в этом доме); and what he does for his wages

(а что он делает за свое жалование) is a mystery to all the world (тайна для всего мира). What is his errand, madam (в чем его поручение, мадам)? and why are you hurrying him away (и почему вы торопите его «прочь»)?”

 “Mr. Hartley,” said Lady Vandeleur, “I think you understand what you have to do. May I ask you to see to it at once?”

“Stop,” said the General, addressing Harry, “one word before you go.” And then, turning again to Lady Vandeleur, “What is this precious fellow’s errand?” he demanded. “I trust him no further than I do yourself, let me tell you. If he had as much as the rudiments of honesty, he would scorn to stay in this house; and what he does for his wages is a mystery to all the world. What is his errand, madam? and why are you hurrying him away?”

“I supposed you had something to say to me in private,” replied the lady (я полагала, вы имели сказать мне что-то наедине, – ответила леди).

“You spoke about an errand,” insisted the General (вы говорили о каком-то поручении, – настаивал генерал). “Do not attempt to deceive me in my present state of temper (не пытайтесь провести меня в моем теперешнем состоянии духа). You certainly spoke about an errand (вы точно говорили о каком-то поручении).”

“If you insist on making your servants privy to our humiliating dissensions,” replied Lady Vandeleur (если вы настаиваете на том, чтобы делать своих слуг участниками наших унизительных раздоров, – ответила леди Венделер), “perhaps I had better ask Mr. Hartley to sit down (может, я попрошу мистера Хартли присесть). No?” she continued

(нет? – продолжала она); “then you may go, Mr. Hartley (тогда вы можете идти, мистер Хартли). I trust you may remember all that you have heard in this room (я полагаю, вы можете запомнить все, что слышали в этой комнате); it may be useful to you (это может быть полезно для вас).”

 “I supposed you had something to say to me in private,” replied the lady.

“You spoke about an errand,” insisted the General. “Do not attempt to deceive me in my present state of temper. You certainly spoke about an errand.”

“If you insist on making your servants privy to our humiliating dissensions,” replied Lady Vandeleur, “perhaps I had better ask Mr. Hartley to sit down. No?” she continued; “then you may go, Mr. Hartley. I trust you may remember all that you have heard in this room; it may be useful to you.”